Friday's Afternoon Update
Florida citrus harvest lowest in decades
The latest citrus forecast shows more problems for the state’s citrus industry. Final projections for the 2016-2017 citrus season released this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows orange production down 16 percent from last year with the grapefruit harvest down 28 percent. Last year’s citrus production was the worst in five decades. More from the Capitolist, the Daily Commercial, and Fresh Fruit Portal.
Florida may break from scientists who issued climate change warning about Everglades
The state of Florida is threatening to stop cooperating with a team of independent scientists that monitors progress on Everglades restoration for Congress. State officials say the committee shouldn’t be suggesting changes that could lead to more studies and delays of Everglades restoration projects. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Tammy Jerkins, Florida's Teacher of the Year
Tammy Jerkins, Lake County Educator, named Florida Teacher of the Year
A math teacher at Leesburg High School known for never giving up on her students — even those seemingly unmotivated to learn — was named the 2018 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year at the awards gala in Orlando. Educators from throughout the state of Florida attended the event to celebrate excellence in education as well as Tammy’s friends and family to celebrate her accomplishment. Full story from the FDOE, here. Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel.
Beetle threatens Florida avocado industry
A beetle smaller than a grain of rice could have a huge impact on the agriculture industry in the southeast. The female redbay ambrosia could be deadly for avocado trees and other laurel species plants if left unchecked. More from FOX News.
When employees become toxic
Most CEOs acknowledge the true success of a company comes from a careful blend of team members with a variety of skills, work styles and perspectives. However, when one of those team members become difficult, that productive tonic becomes toxic. [Sponsored report]
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Michael Saunders
Sarasota real estate executive Michael Saunders talks about early challenges she faced, including: “When I first started in real estate and I would travel the country and the world and would talk about Sarasota, people would say, ‘Oh, Saratoga. You must be into horses.’."
Profile
J.C. Renfroe & Sons
J.C. Renfroe & Sons was never a big company, but it helped customers around the world do big jobs. Renfroe clamps made in Jacksonville helped lift and carry the Liberty Bell, nuclear submarines and wreckage of the space shuttle Challenger. The company is fading away locally after about 75 years in town.
» Read more from the Florida Times-Union.